Seven years for gangster in 'Wild West' shooting

A GANGSTER who exchanged gunshots with rivals using a converted pistol linked to 10 shootings across London has been jailed for seven years.

Terrified residents looked on as Damien Meade, 23, returned fire with a starting gun converted to shoot live rounds as incoming bullets peppered a car in the "Wild West"-style shoot-out.

The hooded thug fled on a bike from the scene in Clapton, pursued by a police squad car, but crashed while trying to thrown the weapon away.

Officers recovered the gun and believe it had been rented out to criminals from an underworld armoury. Meade, of Hoxton, pleaded guilty at Snaresbrook Crown Court to possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, possessing a prohibited weapon and possessing ammunition without a certificate.

Judge John Lafferty told him: "An extended sentence will protect the public from the risks you pose."